Sigma Technologies and Enercon Industries have developed a new atmospheric plasma treatment system for treating and functionalizing polymer films.  The newly developed atmospheric plasma treatment (APT 1000) system has unique advantages over the presently used technologies of corona and flame treatment.  The APT system allows us to create uniform and homogenous plasma at atmospheric pressure conditions using a broad range of inert and reactive gases.  APT process treats and functionalizes films in a manner similar to the vacuum plasma treatment process.  Production equipment testing has been successfully performed for the treatment/functionalization of various polymer films including Polypropylene (PP), Polyethyleneterephthalate polyester (PET) and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE).  The surface energies of the treated films increased substantially (without any backside treatment) thereby enhancing the wetability, printability and the adhesion properties of these films.

Attributes of APT 1000

• Creates Uniform and Homogenous Plasma at Atmospheric Pressure and Low Temperature.
• A Variety of Process Gases Can Be Used (Inert gases, oxygen, nitrogen, air, carbon dioxide, methane)
• Ideal for Treating Polymer Films
• Uniform Treatment
• Enhances Surface Energy of the Films Thereby Enhancing the Wetability, Printability and the Adhesion
• No Backside Treatment
• Available In All Web Widths
• Simple and Rugged Construction
• No Need of Vacuum Chamber
• Automatic Control and Indicators

Modes Of Operation

With minor changes in gap distance, power supply, and gas mixture, Sigma's Atmospheric plasma system can be operated in all the following modes:

• Plasma "Cold Flame" with Controlled Chemistry
• Polymer Grafting
• Conventional Corona
• Ozone-less Corona
• Corona with Controlled Gas Chemistry

Applications

For treatment, functionalization, cleaning, etching:

• Polymer Films
• Metallized Films
• Fabric
• Fibers
• Paper
• Wool
• Metal sheets